Air drive keyboard tester

ABSTRACT

The invention is a method and apparatus for driving or exercising keys or buttons on a keyboard utilizing a jet of fluid as the driving medium. An improved valve structure utilizing a flexible, perforate diaphragm is used to control the fluid jets and is the operative portion of the apparatus used in the method employed.

I Unlted States Patent 1 1111 3,768,622

Wood Oct. 30, 1973 [54] AIR DRIVE KEYBOARD TESTER 3,003,694 10/1961Oxley et a1 235/146 3,480,040 11/1969 Erickson 137/608 [76] Invent No2,781,780 2/1957 Zahradka 137/608 22 Filed; Oct. 7 1971 2,572,17510/1951 McPherson... 25l/6l.l X 3,176,714 4/1965 Smith et a1 137/596.16[21] Appl. No.: 187,240

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Queisser 52 US. Cl 197/19, 73/37, 137/830,Assistant EmminerDaniel Yasich 197/15 Attorney-Edward H. Duffield et al.[51] Int. Cl. B4lj 23/22 [58] Field of Search 73/37, 432 R; [57]ABSTRACT 1 0. 3 6 .23.612.-l39 1l,. 839;.Z i,

197/15, 98 19; 235/201 PF 145 146; The invention is a method andapparatus for drlvmg or 84/423. 46/44. 234/123 exercising keys orbuttons on a keyboard utilizing a jet of fluid as the driving medium. Animproved valve [56] References Cited structure utilizing a flexible,perforate diaphragm is used to control the fluid jets and is theoperative por- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion of the apparatus used in themethod employed. 3,597,981 8/1971 Wakabayashi et a1. 73/432 R 3,315,7754/1967 Schonfeld 197/15 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENIED 0U 30 I973SHEET 1 0F 2 I NVENTOR PATENTEDUCI 30 I913 SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG. 4

FIG 5 DI ODE DECODER C l RCU ITS BCD AIR DRIVE KEYBOARD TESTERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to means for actuating keys, buttons, levers and the like byremote control to repetitively and/r sequentially actuate these membersin the course of testing them. Alternatively, such a device is useful inadapting a keyboard assembly for automatic operation. More specifically,this invention relates to keyboard adapter or test unit which isutilized to interface between a keyboard and a high-speed datacommunication device. The invention also finds utility as a method andapparatus for testing assembled keyboards for proper operation by ahigh-speed repetitive cycling of the keys under test.

2. Prior Art While prior devices for adapting keyboards for automaticoperation have been built, they have mainly relied on electrical devicessuch as solenoids and plungers to drive the key buttons. These devices,when mounted on slanted and irregularly shaped keyboards, requirecareful individual adjustment of the various solenoid plunger actuators,both in position and in length of stroke, in order to achieve properoperation of the keys. Such a process with such a device is laborious,time consuming, and is ill-adapted to suit a wide variety ofconfigurations of keyboard and key spacings and exterior design aspects.A recurrent problem in this type of device is the necessity of carefullyadjusting the solenoid stroke in order to achieve proper actuation ofthe keys. Since keytops on an ordinary keyboard, and especially on aslanted keyboard, are not all at the same elevation, laborious handfitting or special individualized design of the tester or adapter unitfor the specific keyboard is required. In today s high-speed automatedproduction environment, such delay in fitting a tester to a keyboardcannot be tolerated. If a keyboard adapter is to be truly versatile, itmust be capable of fitting a large variety of shapes and sizes ofkeyboards without difficult adjustment procedures. The prior art deviceshave not been this versatile in operation.

A further difficulty with these prior devices is'that the numeroussolenoids are subject not only to the usual mechanical problems ofbinding, sticking, etc. which require continuous lubrication and othermaintainance, but the mechanical impact of the solenoid plungers on thekeytops produces unnecessary and undesirable wear on the mechanicalcomponents of the keyboard and of the testing unit. Additionally, it isextremely difficult to produce a consistent force with a varying plungerstroke by using a solenoid, particularly when repetitive, high speedoperation is required. Since keys generally require both a uniformstroke and pressure, improper actuation of a key can result in many wayswhen the inconsistent solenoid and plunger type of exercise unit isutilized.

Finally, the solenoid and plunger type of adapter or tester structure ismechanically complex. Numerous brackets, holders, spacers and otheradjusting mechanisms are required for positioning each individualsolenoid both vertically and horizontally in order to position theplungers in the proper position above each keytop. This complicatedstructure, which is a necessity in this type of device, makes theproduction of such a unit an expensive and time consuming operation. Inaddition, such complexity invariably leads to lower reliability and lifeof the unit as a useful entity since one or more of the numerous partswill eventually fail or malfunction. This leads not only to a decreasedutility of the unit, but increases the amount of maintainance andsupervision required in order to utilize such a unit.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION In light of the above difficulties and problemsin the prior art, it is an object of this invention to improve the meansof driving keys on a keyboard with a testing or exercise unit.

It is another object of this invention to simplify the design andstructure of the testing or adapter unit to improve the reliability,adaptability, and serviceability of the unit.

It is also an object of this invention to improve the speed capabilityof exerciser devices.

Still another object of this invention is to eliminate laborious handfitting and adjustment of the individual key drivers required in theprior art by improving the means of driving the individual keys.

Yet another object of this invention is to improve the utility of thetesting unit by making it adaptable to a wide variety of keyboarddesigns and structures.

It is a further object of this invention to improve over known keyboardtest units by making a test unit which is simpler and easier tomanufacture.

Finally, it is an object of this invention to improve on keyboard driveand adapter mechanisms by making the individual key drive units easilyadjustable to individual force requirements for the various keys.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention achieves the foregoing and otherobjects and overcomes the problems inherent in the prior art byutilizing a compressed fluid in a manifold and multiple valve structure.The fluid in the manifold is selectively valved to form numerousindividual fluid jets. The fluid jets directly actuate the keys orbuttons. An improved and simplified valve structure makes possibleindividual adjustment of fluid flow to vary the force applied to eachkey without any mechanical repositioning of the test unit. The valvestructure utilizes a thin, flexible diaphragm which can be moved quicklyand at high speed to achieve high speed repetitive operation.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of a preferred embodimentof the apparatus utilized in this invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a single valve of the type depicted in FIG. 1 as itwould appear when actuated.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred plan of perforations in the diaphragmsurrounding each slug and outlet.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic wiring diagram for a preferred embodimentof the invention as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in the drawing, the preferred embodiment of the apparatusutilized in this invention consists of a simplified manifold andmultiple valve assembly. As shown in FIG. 1, the manifold, or main body,consists of a first body portion 1 which forms the upper half of thevalve manifold structure. Body portion 1 serves as a base for mountingthe numerous solenoid coils 3. It also serves as a base for a mountingand adjusting means for solenoid cores 4. A second body portion 2contains numerous recesses 5 for containing magnetic slug means 6 andoutlets 7. Body portion 2 also serves, in combination with body portion1, to clamp the edges of flexible, perforate diaphragm means 8 at itsextremities to hold it firmly in position.

Inlet means 9 for admitting pressurized fluid to the cavity 10 formed inbody portion 1 is shown at the left of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, magnetic slug means 6 consists of acylindrical piece of soft iron which is positioned in bore 5 in bodyportion 2 in a freely slideable dimensional fit. While it is not shownin the figures, slug means 6 is provided with a 0.020 inch radius on theend which contacts diaphragm means 8 so that it will not cut, chaffe, orotherwise unduly wear diaphragm 8. Fluid pressure in cavity 10 formed inbody portion 1 forces perforate diaphragm means 8 against the surface ofbody portion 2 and seals the perforations 16 against said surface.However, special raised sealing projections or surfaces could be formedon body portion 2s contact surface where it meets the diaphragm means,if desired.

As shown in the Figures, magnetic slug means 6 is in contact with thelower surface of perforate diaphragm means 8. Furthermore, as is clearin FIGS. 1 through 3, solenoid core means 4 is spaced slightly abovediaphragm means 8 and directly opposite the position which is occupiedby magnetic slug means 6. The gap separating the perforate diaphragmmeans and core means 4 may be regulated by screw thread mount and locknut 12 and 13 as illustrated. Mounting means 14 holds solenoid 3 inposition and leads 15 are selectively supplied with electric current by,for example,the circuit shown in FIG. 4.

When a given solenoid has electric current flowing in its windings,solenoid core 4 will be magnetized and will attract magnetic slug 6which will deflect perforate diaphragm means 8 as shown in FIG. 2 andits magnified view. As shown, only the area immediately overlyingmagnetic slug means 6 and nearby adjacent portions of perforatediaphragm means 8 are deflected. This permits fluid in cavity means 10to escape through the perforations l6 surrounding the area of slug means6 and outlet means 7 in body portion 2 which forms a jet of fluidutilized to drive the key as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The volume of fluidexiting from outlet means 7 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the gapbetween core means 4 and perforate diaphragm means 8. This is done byregulating the position of core 4, since the displacement produced bythe magnetic attraction of slug means 6 against perforate diaphragmmeans 8 is thereby regulated and the free apertures exposed in theperforations of diaphragm means 8 are therefore also adjusted. Thismakes individual regulation of the force produced on the keytops asimple matter requiring few tools, little effort, and virtually nolaborious readjustment.

As shown in FIG. 5, a typical means for operating the various solenoids3 is an electrical gating system which includes a digital computer (CPU)which is programmed as desired to send binary coded decimal (BCD)electrical signals through its input-output (I/O) channel to a normaldiode decoding matrix. This matrix arrangement, and other types ofelectronic signal decoding devices, e.g., transistorized logicaldecoders, is well-known to those of skill in the art. It converts theBCD signals into decimal signals which appear sequentially as receivedon individual ones of the outputs of the matrix. The converted decimalsignals are used, for example, as gating signals to drive the base of atransistor to turn it on and, through it, to operate the particularsolenoid with which it is connected.

Another typical means for actuating the various solenoids in a sequenceis an electrical stepper switch or rotary contactor of thetypewell-known in the art which connects a source of electricitysequentially to a series of outputs which may be connected to solenoidsas desired. This alternative is felt to be so clear and obvious thatfurther explanation and description of it is unnecessary, and noillustration of such a device is provided.

The perforate diaphragm means shown in the figures consists of a sheetof flexible plastic, such as a polyester or polyimide, but could just aseasily be formed of flexible non-magnetic metal, rubber, or the like.The pattern of perforations surrounding the position of each magneticslug means is chosen to seal the perforations against second bodyportion 2 when the diaphragm is undeflected and yet near enough to theslug means and outlet means to prevent the escape of fluid to outletsother than the one adjacent said slug.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pattern of perforations 16 on diaphragm 8 ischosen to surround the position occupied by slug means 6 and outletmeans 7 in relatively close proximity thereto, but with no perforationsbeing aligned with outlet means 7. The relative positions of slug 6 andoutlet 7 are indicated in dashed lines in this figure because, in theview shown, these elements lie below diaphragm 8.

In the preferred embodiment, these repetitive perforation patterns areformed by a standard photo-etching process to save labor and to assurethe elimination of burrs, etc. which could be formed by mechanicalpunching of the perforations and which would then require a separatestep of removal of burrs.

If only a single outlet means and slug were utilized, i.e., if only asingle valve for the actuation of a single button were desired, the onlyrequirement would be that perforations 16 in diaphragm means 8 should beclose enough to the position occupied by slug means 6 to be freed fromsealing relationship with the body portion upon actuation of thesolenoid. To prevent leakage, it is, of course, obvious that theperforations in diaphragm 8 must not align with any of the exit means oroutlets 7 when the diaphragm is in its undeflected position. If numeroussolenoids and valve structures are required within the same manifold,internal ribs or bosses could be added to either body portion 1 and/orbody portion 2 to further seal the perforate diaphragm means 8 againstbody portion 2 in the area surrounding each solenoid. This, however, hasbeen found to be unnecessary when the perforation pattern illustrated isutilized. Slug-to-slug (and outlet) spacings of approximatelythree-fourths of an inch are easily attainable and little or no leakageout the unactuated outlets is experienced. In fact, if fluid pressuresof approximately 30 psig are employed, even closer outlet spacings canbe achieved and inch spacings are easily attainable. The lower limit onsuch spacing is controlled by the size of the solenoids and thethickness of the diaphragm which must be deflected and by fluid pressurewhich dictates diaphragm thickness.

For purposes of testing a keyboard assembly, electronic selectionswitches are utilized to apply current to the solenoids. The source ofelectrical current regulated thereby can be applied sequentially andselectively to chosen solenoids for high speed repetitive operation ofthe valve assembly to drive the independent keys or buttons. Operativerepetition rates are primarily limited by the operating characteristicsof the keyboard keys, but the valve apparatus is capable of repetitiveoperation at speeds in excess of 45 operations per second. However, ifit is desired to utilize the apparatus as a keyboard adapter forderiving meaningful data from the keyboard, such as by driving atypewriter to print a meaningful message, the individual solenoids maybe driven by a data communication device and automatic selection ordecoding circuits known in the art. (These do not form a part of thisinvention and thus are not shown.)

Because the volume of fluid exiting from the various outlet means 7 uponactuation of the independent solenoid means can be easily regulated, thedistance between the outlet means and the keytop to be driven is notcrucial. In operation, a driving force of approximately 200 grams hasbeen achieved at separations of l to 2 inches. This has been withoutlets of 0. I00 inch diameter for the jets and using compressed air asa driving fluid at a pressure of approximately 65 psig within themanifold. Significantly, this means that quick and effective positioningof the adapter or test unit over a variety of keyboards, even theslanted or variously configured ones, can be quickly effected withoutlaborious adjustment since no mechanical contact between the tester andthe keyboard is necessary.

In order to utilize the apparatus of this invention, it is onlynecessary to position the tester unit above a keyboard to be driven.Telescoping mount arms, pivoting arms, and a variety of clamps andoverhead external mounting means may be utilized to hold the tester oradapter unit in proper location an inch or so above the keyboard. Acenter-to-center spacing of approximately three-fourths of an inch isgenerally utilized in the keyboard art for manual keyboards, however,slight variations in center-to-center distance of keys may be easilyaccommodated since the narrow jet of fluid exiting from the outlet meansis effective whether it strikes a keytop in the center thereof or on anyportion of it. Adjacent keys are not actuated by a jet which is slightlyoff-center. All that is required is that mechanical positioning of thedevice be sufficiently accurate to assure that each jet hits at leastsome portion of the keytop which is desired to be operated.

MODE OF OPERATION The method of this invention is clear from theFigures. All that is necessary is that a jet of fluid impinge on akeytop with sufficient force to actuate the key. This force is regulatedby the volume and velocity of fluid striking the keytop. Fluid issupplied by some suitable source such as the preferred embodiment ofappa-- ratus shown in the drawings. Assuming that it is desired toactuate a given key utilizing the apparatus of this invention, it isonly necessary to apply a current to the solenoid positioned above thatkey. Energization of a given solenoid 3 results in magnetization ofsolenoid core 4 and the attraction of freely movable slug means 6towards core 4. This results in the deflection of perforate diaphragmmeans 8 by the movement of slug means 6. This, in turn, permits fluidheld confined in cavity means 10 to exit via outlet means 7 forming ajetwhich impinges on the desired keytop. As previously explained, thevolume and velocity of the jet of fluid regulates the amount of forceapplied to the keytop. The volume may be regulated by adjusting theposition of solenoid core 4 above perforate member 8. The velocity ofexiting fluid is also regulated by the design of the outlet means 7 andby the pressure of fluid within the cavity. In practical application, ithas been found that air at a pressure of 30 psig is perfectlysatisfactory to provide a jet which will actuate keys requiring a forceof up to grams. Operation of such a device has been easily achievedunder such conditions at a distance of 1.0 to 1.5 inches separationbetween the outlet means and the keytop using an outlet size of 0.100inches diameter and a polyimide diaphragm 0.005 inches thick.

While the invention has been illustrated and explained with reference toa preferred embodiment thereof, numerous modifications thereof will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of exercising individual keys on a keyboard, comprising:

positioning, over each of said keys, an individually actuable means fordirecting a jet of gas against said keys;

pressurizing each said directing means with a source of compressed gas;

actuating said directing means associated with said key to be exercised;and

impacting said key with a kinetic jet of gas from said directing means,thereby exercising said key.

2. The method as described in claim I, further comprising the step of:

actuating said directing means individually and selectively to produce asequence of outputs from said keyboard.

3. Apparatus for exercising keys on a keyboard by directing jets offluid against them, comprising:

a body;

said body being divided into first and second body portions;

cavity means defined by said first and second body portions forconfining fluid under pressure therein;

inlet means for admitting pressurized fluid to said cavity means;

a plurality of output means for passing fluid from said cavity throughsaid second body portion to the outside of said body;

a flexible, perforate diaphragm means in said cavity means andseparating said first and second body portions;

said perforate diaphragm means contacting a surface carried on saidsecond body portion to close said perforations under the urging of saidpressurized fluid in said cavity to confine said fluid in said cavitymeans;

a plurality of individually movable magnetic slug means for contactingthe side of said diaphragm means which is in contact with said surfacecarried by said second body portion;

said slug means each being located adjacent to an individual one of saidoutlet means;

a plurality of individually actuable magnet means for magneticallyattracting said slug means;

said magnet means being located on said first body portion and spacedfrom the surface of said diaphragm means and opposite the location ofsaid diaphragm means behind which said magnetic slug means reside; and

means for selectively magnetizing said magnet means to attract said slugmeans opposite therefrom, whereby said slug means is magneticallyattracted and moved toward said magnet means and into contact with saidflexible diaphragm means to deflect a portion of said diaphragm meansout of contact with said surface carried by said second body portionwhereby fluid in said cavity means of said first body portion ispermitted to pass through said perforations in said diaphragm meanswhich are nearest to said slug means and from there through said outletmeans in proximity with said slug means and out of said body tokinetically impact said keys to exercise them.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein:

said fluid is a gas;

said magnet means comprises a plurality of individually wound solenoidshaving adjustable position magnetizable cores therein; and

said means for selectively magnetizing said solenoids comprises anelectrical gating means for directing current to selected solenoids.

5. Apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein:

said gas is air;

said electrical gating means comprises a means for sequentiallygenerating coded solenoid drive signals;

decoder means for converting said signals into signals at uniqueindividual outputs thereof;

said generating means being connected to said decoder means;

individual electrical gate means for directing drive signals tosolenoids; and

said decoder means having said outputs connected to said individualelectrical gates to drive said solenoids.

1. A method of exercising individual keys on a keyboard, comprising:positioning, over each of said keys, an individually actuable means fordirecting a jet of gas against said keys; pressurizing each saiddirecting means with a source of compressed gas; actuating saiddirecting means associated with said key to be exercised; and impactingsaid key with a kinetic jet of gas from said directing means, therebyexercising said key.
 2. The method as described in claim 1, furthercomprising the step of: actuating said directing means individually andselectively to produce a sequence of outputs from said keyboard. 3.Apparatus for exercisiNg keys on a keyboard by directing jets of fluidagainst them, comprising: a body; said body being divided into first andsecond body portions; cavity means defined by said first and second bodyportions for confining fluid under pressure therein; inlet means foradmitting pressurized fluid to said cavity means; a plurality of outputmeans for passing fluid from said cavity through said second bodyportion to the outside of said body; a flexible, perforate diaphragmmeans in said cavity means and separating said first and second bodyportions; said perforate diaphragm means contacting a surface carried onsaid second body portion to close said perforations under the urging ofsaid pressurized fluid in said cavity to confine said fluid in saidcavity means; a plurality of individually movable magnetic slug meansfor contacting the side of said diaphragm means which is in contact withsaid surface carried by said second body portion; said slug means eachbeing located adjacent to an individual one of said outlet means; aplurality of individually actuable magnet means for magneticallyattracting said slug means; said magnet means being located on saidfirst body portion and spaced from the surface of said diaphragm meansand opposite the location of said diaphragm means behind which saidmagnetic slug means reside; and means for selectively magnetizing saidmagnet means to attract said slug means opposite therefrom, whereby saidslug means is magnetically attracted and moved toward said magnet meansand into contact with said flexible diaphragm means to deflect a portionof said diaphragm means out of contact with said surface carried by saidsecond body portion whereby fluid in said cavity means of said firstbody portion is permitted to pass through said perforations in saiddiaphragm means which are nearest to said slug means and from therethrough said outlet means in proximity with said slug means and out ofsaid body to kinetically impact said keys to exercise them.
 4. Apparatusas described in claim 3, wherein: said fluid is a gas; said magnet meanscomprises a plurality of individually wound solenoids having adjustableposition magnetizable cores therein; and said means for selectivelymagnetizing said solenoids comprises an electrical gating means fordirecting current to selected solenoids.
 5. Apparatus as described inclaim 4, wherein: said gas is air; said electrical gating meanscomprises a means for sequentially generating coded solenoid drivesignals; decoder means for converting said signals into signals atunique individual outputs thereof; said generating means being connectedto said decoder means; individual electrical gate means for directingdrive signals to solenoids; and said decoder means having said outputsconnected to said individual electrical gates to drive said solenoids.